[2025 Dunedin Attraction] Travel Guide for Tunnel Beach Walk (Updated Oct)

📍 Location Tunnel Beach is located about a 15-minute drive south of Dunedin city center. It is famous for its natural arch and a man-made tunnel. 🚍 Transportation Driving is recommended. There is a dedicated parking area along the road, and it takes about 20 minutes of walking from the entrance to reach the beach. The trail is downhill on the way there and uphill on the way back, so be sure to save some energy for the return. ✨ Personal Experience The first time I walked down the trail, I could clearly feel myself being led away from the hustle and bustle, moving closer to the stunning ocean views. The sandstone cliffs along the coast, shaped by years of wave erosion into arches and unique formations, are truly breathtaking. The highlight is passing through the narrow man-made tunnel, and emerging to see a secluded little beach—it gives you a sense of adventure and accomplishment. Although the trail isn’t very long, the uphill return can be a bit challenging, so take it slow. However, as the wind blows and you listen to the sound of waves crashing, the sense of openness makes it all worthwhile. This is a hidden gem that combines natural wonders with an adventurous vibe.

To see some scenery, you have to bend down and go through a period of history. For example, Tunnel Beach on New Zealand's South Island is hidden behind a cliff. You have to go downhill along the trail and pass through a hand-carved stone tunnel to reach the amazing secret coast. The first time I walked into the stone tunnel, a cool breeze blew in, and it was like walking through a time machine. When I walked out, I was in another world - towering rock walls, crashing waves, and caves and arches carved out by the sea over the years. Standing there, you suddenly feel so small, but also free. There were almost no people on the beach, just the sound of the sea, the wind, and your own breathing. This is not the kind of beach where you can play in the water, but a place where you can walk into a natural theater and be deeply shaken by its grandeur. When you come here, you don’t need to do anything, just standing there quietly is already fulfilling. ————Tunnel Beach Information———— ▪️Location: Located in the suburbs of Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand, about 10 minutes drive. ▪️Trail length: About 1 kilometer one way, the return journey is uphill, so please reserve some energy. ▪️Features: Stone tunnels hand-hewn by local nobles in the 19th century, sea-eroded arches, and magnificent cliff views. 🔆Friendly reminder: The trail is unshaded, please bring sunscreen and windproof jackets. Please pay special attention to safety during tidal periods and stay away from waves. #AprilGoodDestinations2025

Hiking to Tunnel Beach was an unforgettable adventure, though definitely more challenging than we expected. The path down to the beach was steep and rugged, making the journey a bit demanding on our legs. When we finally arrived at the beach, the view was absolutely worth the effort. The hike back up was definitely tough, with our sore legs protesting every step. The steep incline felt even more challenging as we made our way uphill, but the memory of the view kept us motivated. Despite the physical effort required, Tunnel Beach was a highlight of our trip, offering both a rewarding challenge and one of the most beautiful, tranquil spots we’d visited. It’s a hike we’d recommend for anyone looking to experience the raw, unspoiled beauty of New Zealand’s coastline! #mountainhike #naturalwonders #thingstodo #newzealand #hiking

It was a trip to Dunedin, New Zealand with family. When we visited there, one of our favorite spots was Tunnel Beach 🏖️ a hidden gem just a short drive from the city center. We explored the iconic sandstone cliffs, natural arches, and breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean 🌊 The walk down the tunnel, hand-carved in the 1870s, leads to a secluded beach 🏖️ perfect for stunning photographs, especially during the golden hours of sunrise or sunset. I would recommend visiting early in the morning for softer lighting and fewer crowds, it’s a magical experience you won’t forget ✨ 📍Tunnel Beach Track, Dunedin, New Zealand We also visited Baldwin Street, famously known as the steepest residential street in the world 🌎 Walking to the top was a fun and rewarding experience, and the panoramic views made it even better 🙌 I’d recommend bringing your camera 📸 the quirky angles of the houses and the steep slope create some of the most unique photo opportunities in Dunedin. Sunset adds a warm glow to your pictures, but anytime during the day is worth it 😍 📍Baldwin Street, North East Valley, Dunedin, New Zealand We also explored the stunning Larnach Castle, a historic marvel with beautifully landscaped gardens 🌺 The intricate architecture and the lush greenery are perfect for picturesque moments 💯I would recommend spending a leisurely afternoon here; the lighting is perfect for photos 📸 and the tranquil atmosphere adds to the experience. Don’t miss the view from the tower, it’s absolutely breathtaking 😍 📍145 Camp Road, Otago Peninsula, Dunedin, New Zealand Another highlight of our visit was St. Clair Beach 🏝️ an iconic surf 🏄♂️ beach with picturesque views and a lively esplanade. We explored the area during sunset, and the reflection of the sky on the wet sand was simply unforgettable 😍 I’d recommend taking a walk along the beach or enjoying a meal at one of the nearby cafés ☕️ while soaking in the beautiful coastal views 💯 📍Esplanade, St. Clair, Dunedin, New Zealand We also explored the Otago Peninsula, a must-visit for nature lovers ✨The peninsula offers dramatic coastal landscapes and is home to unique wildlife like albatrosses and sea lions 🦭 We found the golden hour here to be especially captivating, perfect for photography enthusiasts 📸 I’d recommend planning a day trip to fully enjoy the scenic drives and lookout points. 📍Otago Peninsula, Dunedin, New Zealand #newzealandtrip #Vacation #travel

Tunnel Beach is a beautiful walking trail If you drive, you can park directly in the parking lot and walk down. It takes about 30 minutes to walk to the tunnel (Actually, I thought at first I would go to the beach after parking the car) The entire trail is not steep and you can walk slowly and enjoy the sea~~ When April comes, the mountains are full of beautiful trees and yellow flowers. Walking through the tunnel feels like reaching the seaside of an uninhabited island Really super beautiful! It is said that there are usually fur seals here. I have not encountered any. In addition, the tunnel stairs are actually very slippery, so it is recommended that you wear non-slip shoes. #100WAYS TO TRAVEL #DOPamine TRAVEL #DENEDIN #TUNNEL BEACH

Here, you'll be captivated every day by the beauty of the lakes and mountains, snow-capped glaciers, azure seas and skies, and vast grasslands! ❤️ I've just finished a half-month self-drive tour of New Zealand's South Island, and now I'm sharing my 9 favorite places with you all ⬇️ ❶ Lake Tekapo This place is where you'll fall in love at first sight, with the milk blue waters of the lake set against the snow mountains, and the lupins blooming along the shore, so beautiful it moves you to tears 😭 In my heart, this is the ultimate beauty spot of New Zealand! ❷ Dunedin·Tunnel Beach This is a beautiful coastal walk, somewhat like the White Cliffs of Dover in England, with majestic rocks rising from the sea, spectacular to behold. Sitting on the cliff edge gazing out to sea, enjoying the undisturbed tranquility, is just too pleasant! ❸ Wanaka·The Lone Tree I absolutely love Wanaka, where life moves at a leisurely pace: strolling by the lake, feeding seagulls, sunbathing, enjoying the gentle breeze, and feeling relaxed and happy, it's just too enjoyable! ❹ Akaroa·Shamarra Alpaca Farm Located in a French town in the bay, it's very peaceful and pleasant. Even on cloudy days, the sea is a beautiful blue-green. Spend the morning wandering around town, and the afternoon feeding alpacas at the farm, those freshly sheared alpacas look both ugly and cute 🦙 ❺ Kaikoura Here you'll find a magnificent coastline, with snow-capped mountains and the sea complementing each other, the milk blue sea water, the sky full of seagulls, and seals playing along the shore, it's truly unforgettable. ❻ Wanaka·Coromandel Peak A popular spot for wedding photos in New Zealand, accessible by helicopter, with grand mountain views. Compared to the 16 km hike to Roys Peak, this is more friendly for the lazy. ❼ Mount Cook National Park Definitely worth the hike in New Zealand, super impressive, and you can get up close to glaciers. Even on cloudy days, it's breathtakingly beautiful. ❽ Queenstown·Deer Park Heights This is a self-service entry private farm, one of my favorite places. Each car ticket is $55, and you can drive right up to the top of the mountain to overlook the whole of Queenstown. There are many animals and few tourists, so you can play here all day. ❾ Queenstown·Skyline Take the cable car to the top of the mountain to overlook Queenstown. Although the scenery and value for money are not as good as Deer Park Heights, it's very fun to play on the mountain luge, and taking photos of the cable car and lake together on the mountain is incredibly beautiful. 📌Tips: If it's your first time in New Zealand and you're worried about planning your trip or lack overseas driving experience, I recommend choosing a group tour.

The tunnel beach is located on the southern coastline of Dunedin, as its name suggests, and is known for its tunnels to hidden beaches. About the tunnel, there is a story about the family that is so fascinating. In the 1870s, John Cargill and his family spent time with the sea, and unfortunately, a wave swept away their youngest daughter. The pain of the mourning woman made him blame every day. In order to make up for his mistakes, he decided to use his hands to cut a tunnel to the beach, which was the "last gift" for his daughter. The long time that followed, the father used a hammer to cut into the icy rock day after day, hoping that her daughter would find her way home soon. Now that hundreds of years have passed, the rock tunnel is still standing, witnessing the great fatherly love of the world. This is the tunnel beach, the wonders of nature, the wilderness and the vast blue sky.